Essity’s Kawerau mill switches to geothermal steam, slashing carbon emissions
Transition expected to cut emissions by 66%, equivalent to removing 2,200 cars from the road, enhancing sustainability and supporting local community
Essity’s shift from natural gas to geothermal steam is set to cut carbon emissions significantly, equivalent to removing over 2,200 cars from the road.
The company announced that its Kawerau mill in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, is the nation’s sole producer of toilet tissue and paper towels, generating approximately 55,000 tons annually for brands such as Sorbent, Purex, Handee, and Tork.
By the end of the year, the Kawerau mill will convert its paper machine to use renewable geothermal steam, replacing the last natural gas component with a new drum dryer utilizing geothermal steam for heat and drying. Essity stated that this transition is part of a decade-long effort to reduce emissions, with US$20 million invested in decarbonizing its Kawerau operations.
“With this transition to geothermal steam, the total carbon footprint for Essity’s Kawerau site will be about 66% lower in 2025 than it was in 2009”, the statement read. “The emissions reduction delivered by this shift to geothermal steam will be equivalent to removing over 2,200 cars from the road”.
Jake Hatton, Essity Australasia’s senior manager for sustainability, emphasized the dual benefits of the geothermal project, highlighting improvements in paper machine efficiency and product range capability: “Consumers are demanding more sustainable products”, Hatton noted. “Kawerau is a great place for papermaking because of the access to geothermal steam, a renewable energy resource that is sustainably managed by our geothermal steam partner and supplier, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal”.
The partnership with Ngāti Tūwharetoa not only supports the mill’s environmental goals but also contributes to the local community’s socio-economic well-being, aiding local marae, housing, and education initiatives. The project involves around 80 contracted staff and 25 Essity employees from engineering, operations, safety, and management.
The decarbonization effort is largely co-funded by Essity and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Richard Briggs, EECA’s group manager for delivery and partnerships, praised the collaboration, stating: “Geothermal steam is a great renewable fuel solution for the Kawerau site, and EECA is pleased to have supported Essity in the switch to clean and clever technology”. He added that EECA has also assisted Essity in reducing energy costs and enhancing productivity.